Eons ago, in the vast structure known as time an omniscient entity called God was in a creative mood. He desired a unique creation, one that had never been thought of before. So, with no holds barred He shut Himself into the master drawing room and began to mold a huge lump of clay. He was tickled-pink over the way things were shaping up. He had made it round, with ridges and rises in all the right places. However, the color gray was not eye-catching. So, He splashed the sphere with sapphire blues and emerald greens. Then, He took a breath as large as a cathedral and blew clouds around the sphere. Though He was sober as a judge, His head whirled at the thought of His new creation. But, this feeling was to be short lived because now He wanted something or someone to share in his joy.

In keeping his shoulder to the wheel, which hadn't been invented yet, He created omnifarious creatures, that could live on the land, or in the sea, and even in the air. He was proud as a peacock! And, "Rightly so!" sang the angelic hosts. Oh, He was pleased. He enjoyed frolicking with His fuzzy, furry creatures; His finned fish, and fine-feathered friends. Yet something was still missing. He wanted a creature that would talk with Him, enjoy all the beauty, and perhaps love Him for His creativity.

After much deliberation, and burning the candle at both ends an idea hit Him like a bolt out of the blue. (One of His own, yet!) Excitedly jumping from cloud to cloud and collecting clay, He exclaimed, "I'll make this creature in my image and place it in the most beautiful garden on earth.

Having overheard God's plans one of the most conceited angels, who was also as cunning as a fox, burst through the master drawing room door. He demanded to know why God was spending heavenly time like a drunken sailor on an absurd creature and to top it all off, why was He adding insult to injury by giving this 'thing' a free will?

As gentle as a lamb God explained to the fuming angel, "You see Luc, I wanted someone extraordinary to share in the beauty of my creation. Maybe I'm whistling in the dark and biting off more than I can chew. "He sighed, "But, by hook or crook I'm going to take a chance and throw caution to the winds and fashion a creature who can make the decision to love Me or leave Me!"

Lucifer was jealous, just livid with rage. "Well", he retorted. "You're creating a tempest in a teapot. And in order to entice those creatures into loving you, you'll have to keep your nose to the grindstone for a long long time. Good God!" He finished.

"Exactly", echoed the angelic hosts.

Oh, boy! That was a hit below the heavenly belt. Lucifer had over stepped his boundaries and God was upset to say the least. In a flash, God turned on His heavenly heel and pointed a divine finger under Lucifer's nose. "Look", He said. You've been a thorn in My side for longer than I care to remember, and My distrust of you has grown by leaps and bounds. Now, I want you and your cohorts out of heaven by the time I count to ten!"

For Lucifer things went from bad to worse. When he asked God, "Where should I go?" God replied, "Go to hell!" (Yup, that's how that placed came into being) and don't let the door hit you in the behind. If I never hear from you again that would be too soon. Because from you no news is good news!"

As we all know, Satan's meteoric rise will only be a flash in the pan. Because at that instant in time, God made up His omnipotent mind to fight tooth and nail, and by the sweat of His illustrious brow to prove to the number-one evil doer that He would and could win the love of His new creatures. With that thought in mind, He felt as fit as a fiddle. To support His efforts the angels all voiced a resounding, "Amen".